THE GENTLE CRAET. 



CHAPTEB I. 



ANGLING AND ANGLERS. 



Who can adequately describe the pleasures that surround 

 the angler] Who can catalogue the charms that cling 

 around his pursuit ! He pursues his avocation amid scenes 

 of natural beauty. It is he who follows the windings of 

 the silvery river, and becomes acquainted with its course. 

 He knows the joyous leaps it takes down the bold cascade, 

 and how it bubbles rejoicingly in its career over the 

 rapids. He knows the solitude of its silent depths, and 

 the brilliancy of its shallows. He is confined to no season. 

 He can salute Nature when she laughs with the budding 

 flowers, and when her breath is the glorious breath of 

 Spring. The rustling sedges make music in his ear ere 

 the mist has rolled off the surface of the water, or the dew 

 been kissed from the grass by the sun's rays. The lark 

 sings for him, and the piping bulfinch chirps along hia 

 path. The gorgeous kingfisher heeds him not, and the 

 water-hen scarce moves from her nest as he passes. The 



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